How to find the funny in toddler tantrums

Updated on November 22, 2012

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We've all dealt with the tempers, the screaming, throwing of toys, kicking, biting, spiting and much more as parents...and they all stem from these horrible things called tantrums. The dictionary defines Tantrum as: an emotional outburst that is typically characterized by stubbornness, crying, screaming, defiance, angry ranting, a resistance to attempts at pacification and, at some cases, hitting. Physical control may be lost, the person may be unable to remain still, and even if the "goal" of the person is met he or she may not be calmed. Now if only things seemed as nice in real life as a person can define.

What I'm about to tell you is how you can find the funny in the worst tantrum your child can throw. So as you know, if you've read my prior hubs, I am a mother to a hellian (he's graduated from demon, as of today) at the right old age of 2 1/2 (he'll be 3 in february) and I've had my fair share of the kicking, biting, blood curdling screaming, and the throwing. You ask why he's graduated from demon, well let me tell you:

Today my son threw quite a nasty tantrum (mainly because of sleep deprivation...can we say naptime) and decided to not just intentionally wet himself, but them to methodically take of his underwear and when I wasn't looking, threw them in my face. Imagine my disgust and initial reaction when these heavy, wet, urine soaked batman underwear not only hit me in my face but stuck and then slid down. I was so angry that I wanted to punt him between the legs like a football. You're probably saying, "that's a little harsh", but just imagine your own child or neice/nephew doing that to you. You would be just as mad, if not think worse thoughts. So this is what I did, yes I stooped to my own childs level.

After he calmed down, he decided to go into the bedroom and turn on the t.v. to oh so wonderful Nick Jr., mind you I still wanted to punt him like a football, but I didn't. So I went into the dirty clothes and got every pair of underwear he dirtied over the past few days (he has a lot of clothes, so don't think oh my god) and wrapped them up in doggie poop bags and put them outside for an hour (30 degree weather, so they were nice and cold after that), proceeded to take them out of the bag and held them in my hands (don't worry, I had gloves on) and snuck up on him ninja style. Yes I know I'm grown, but still, you have to get even sometimes. So as I managed to get the sneek on him, I wadded them up tightly and chucked them at his head pro football style. Pretty much imagine his reaction while his head turned almost 90 degrees from the initial smack, and mind you, I got him really really good.

He sat there for a minute while I was standing there in tears, and then he threw the ugliest tantrum I have seen to date. He was screaming, rubbing his face, smelling his underwear ( I guess as a shock thing) and freaked out and screamed some more. What did I do, I laughed, hysterically, so much so that I was on the floor in tears. Then silence. "Mommy I DON'T LIKE THAT!" was what broke the silence, and once again, I started laughing hysterically again. I looked dead at him and asked him if he liked having pee pee underwear in his face, he wiped his tears and said "NO." Guess what my response was...go ahead guess...

I laughed hysterically some more, and pointed. Pretty much crushing any pride this boy had at the time, and then everything was good after that. No more tantrums, and no more pee soaked underwear being thrown, and he went straight to bed.

So you're probably thinking, how is any of that finding the funny in tantrums. Well, sometimes you have to stoop their level and get even. Even if that means getting a little mean with it. Watching their reaction just like they did you, makes things great. So I suggest, instead of getting mad and overwhelmed and then having to call some don't shake your baby hotline, get down, get dirty, get even. That's where the funny comes from. Yea you'll feel like a little bit of an ass, possibly a big ass, but you will get your laugh in, while your child/dren think your crazy, but that's okay. Trust me, you'll laugh, I guarantee it.

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Comments 1 comment

I have 26 and 20 year old children from my first marriage. Their tantrums were ones for the books that is until I got remarried 6 months ago and now have a 2-1/2 year old step-son. Lets just say it's a good thing I've acquired a lot more patience over the years. Your hub is very good and I'll pass it on to his mother. Maybe she'll look at our son's tantrums in a whole different light. Well, at least some of them.